Tag Archives: Long Weekend

Roadtrip In Spain: First Stop, Barcelona

A Rediscovery of Barcelona

For my second visit to Barcelona, ​​the city still seems so huge! But this time, I also explored it by bike which makes a big difference! In two days, we also walked a L-O-T, especially in less touristy neighborhoods like the very pleasant Gracia (photo montage below “Day 1”). It’s hard not to be attracted and caught up in the rhythm of Barcelona, ​​the first stop on our rail roadtrip in Spain.

Is it still necessary to mention the genius of Antoni Gaudi, the super famous Catalan architect? During my previous visit (of a few hours) to Barcelona, ​​I had only seen his magnificent masterpieces from the outside. So, this time, we visited the emblematic ones at length: La Pedrera – Casa Milà and at night, Casa Batlló. Two absolut wonders (pictures below in “Day 2” and “Day 3” sections)! We were less lucky with Park Güell (we arrived at closing time) and the Sagrada Familia (my advice, buy your ticket well in advance).

I appreciated that the Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower was not in the center of Barcelona, ​​which allowed us to avoid the crowds, pickpockets and traffic jam of this touristic area. The hotel is close to a metro line that reaches the city center in about twenty minutes max. What a lovely surprise when entering our duplex suite! The view, space, welcome gifts (like the assortment of homemade cakes), kindness of the staff, quality of the bedding and delicious Sunday brunch!

Next stop: Madrid! To be continued

                            The visit in Pictures

The Hotel

Day 1: From Gracia To The Sagrada Familia

Day 2 : Bike & Visiting The Casa Batlló

Day 3 : La Pedrera – Casa Milà and The Palau de la Música Catalana 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations

Spanish Tourism Board, Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower

Many thanks to the Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower and the Spanish Tourism Board. As always, these are my opinions.

Weekend In Montenegro

Three Days of Discovery

Budva As a Base For Our Stay

We arrived the day before via Dubrovnik, where we collected the rental car. Budva, the famous seaside resort of Montenegro, will be the base for our short stay: a three-day weekend on site (to which must be added one day for arrival and departure, for a total of 4 days ).

The first day: we head to Kotor, with Sanja, a really nice certified guide. You enter through a small door in the thick walls which surround the picturesque old town. Throughout the visit, I thought about Game of Thrones. Kotor, where the Byzantines, Slavs, Venetians and Austrians succeeded one another. We continue to Perast, a village nestled in a superb fjord, where we take the boat to the islet Our Lady of the Rocks. The panorama of the Adriatic sea and its shores is simply magnificent! We have lunch at the Conte restaurant in Perast: delicious fish and seafood with a spectacular 180-degree view of the sea and fjord. Then back in Budva, we walk through the old town, one of its beaches and its walls. The setting is very pleasant and the late afternoon light gilds the old stones of the houses. Budva also has a very modern part, but we will have dinner near the old town by the water.

The second day: we head to the northern part of Montenegro, more precisely the Biogradska Gora National Park (about 3 hours drive from Budva). With Ivan, our guide who is passionate about botany, we visit the park and the surroundings of the lake. Then we head to Kolasin, the starting point of our buggy tour to Katun Vranjak. Sporty driving to the top of a mountain. Impressive courses in a setting at the end of the world, with a chairlift in the background. A break with a family of breeders: a lovely meeting, even if I didn’t want to ride horses. We take our buggy back for lunch in a neighboring property. On the menu: local specialties based on local products: the meat is excellent. The return to Kolasin is intense: it is raining and the track is slippery. If you have never ridden a quad or buggy, I do not recommend it. Otherwise it’s great! We still have three hours of driving to return to Budva, with magnificent landscapes.

The third day: mountain e-bike on the program! Suffice to say that I am averagely motivated (lololol!)… Let’s say, I like the mountains. And cycling. We leave Budva for Orijen. The two-lane road (the width of which can only accommodate one car), meanders happily and unconsciously in the mountain (we often flirt with the precipice). The low vegetation reminds me of the Corsican maquis: lots of stones and rocks, against a backdrop of the sea. Arriving at the starting point, we follow the young cycling champion who will be our bike guide. The track climbs gently but surely, then the difficulty intensifies with the small stones and inclination. So much so that at the last third of the trail leading to the summit, I turned back. In the afternoon, we visit the old town of Herceg Novi which extends over several levels (in stairs): from the Kanli Kula fortress built by the Ottomans, through Belavista square with its small church, to the pebble beaches. And it’s already the end of this exciting weekend discovering Montenegro! I’ll be back for sure.

                        The trip in pictures below

Day 1. Visit of Kotor, Perast & Budva

Day 2. Biogradska Gora National Park & Buggy Tour

Day 3. E-bike Tour in Orijen & Walk In Herceg Novi

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations 

Sunweb, Montenegro.travel

Many thanks to Sunweb and Montenegro Travel for this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions.

Our Second Roadtrip in Andalusia, Spain: Marbella

  

A late afternoon in Marbella

  

Olá Marbella!

After a first roadtrip in Andalusia few weeks ago, here we are again! The itinerary between sea and mountain is differen. We arrive at 4 p.m. from Mijas, a very pretty (and very touristy) village in the mountains. Olá Marbella! First surprise: the city is much bigger than I thought.

We park on the beach side of Marbella, at Playa del Faro, where we start our discovery of the city. The long walk stretches along a huge beach (first photo of the article). Many 70s-80s buildings, some cafes and restaurants. The whole remains really pleasant despite a lack of architectural harmony. 

As night quickly falls, we prefer heading towards the very charming old town with its small streets and squares, mandarin trees and old stones. Second surprise, everywhere people are friendly. I like to walk without a goal. At a random street, we have a drink in a lovely small hotel.

    

A Short Stop in Puerto Banús

Before Marbella city,

we made a stop in Puerto Banús, the marina of Marbella. To be honest, I was not impressed. The buildings housing luxury shops and restaurants are outdated and deserve a facelift.

Of course, there are yachts … But I saw some more impressive ones in the beautiful small port of Bonifaccio (Corsica). My advice, go directly to Marbella, much more nicer! 

     

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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